Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo announced on Thursday that the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme will revolutionize Jammu and Kashmir’s Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). This initiative will involve an investment of ₹482 crore over five years, designed to equip local youth with high-demand skills and connect them to job opportunities and entrepreneurship.
The announcement came during the inaugural UT-level Steering Committee meeting aimed at guiding the implementation of PM-SETU in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting attracted the participation of various officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of Finance, the Commissioner Secretary of Education, and stakeholders from the J&K Skill Development Mission.
Dulloo emphasized that PM-SETU not only aims to improve physical infrastructure but also seeks to create an ecosystem aligned with industry needs, preparing J&K’s youth for quality employment. He noted that industry partners should contribute by offering not just funding, but also technology and expertise to enhance training methods and job placement.
During the meeting, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary of the Skill Development Department, presented a comprehensive overview of the project’s architecture and funding strategy. He highlighted that PM-SETU proposes close to ₹482 crore in funding, with ₹241 crore assigned to each designated hub-and-spoke cluster.
The strategy includes upgrading ten Government ITIs into modern skill institutions across two hub-and-spoke clusters. Each Hub ITI will serve as a central resource for four Spoke ITIs, providing advanced technologies and training facilities. The project aims for a remarkable 75% institutional placement rate.
PM-SETU incorporates an industry-led approach, utilizing Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for increased engagement from industry leaders. This framework ensures that training programs meet market demands and are responsive to evolving job requirements.
Identified priority sectors for this transformation include advanced manufacturing, automotive industries, electronics, telecommunications, food processing, textiles, and new areas promising significant employment in Jammu and Kashmir.
The funding model for PM-SETU operates on a tripartite system, with 74.7% of costs covered by the Central Government, 8.3% by the UT Government, and 17% by Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs). The projected expenditure averages ₹81 crore for each Hub ITI and ₹40 crore for each Spoke ITI.
To qualify as AIPs, participating firms must demonstrate financial stability, with an annual turnover of ₹200 crore over the past three years and a workforce of no less than 500 employees.
In concluding the meeting, Dulloo asserted that the effectiveness of PM-SETU would ultimately be gauged by its ability to cultivate a continuous stream of skilled manpower prepared for the industry. He envisioned this initiative not only as a pathway to better jobs for young adults in Jammu and Kashmir but also as a catalyst for sustained economic growth in the Union Territory.
